It's often said that if you suggest a salary first when negotiating a new job, you've lost. That's not true. Many employers won't even talk to you or extend an offer unless you give them what you're looking for or how much you're currently making. If you know how much your skills are worth, you're still in the game.

The folks at US News Money point out that the game of salary chicken doesn't work for everyone, and more and more employers know full well that candidates want to hear how much they're willing to pay before disclosing how much they make. They'll insist on at least knowing how much you make now, and many will even call your current or previous employer to find out if you're being truthful.

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The moral of the story here is to do your homework. Understand how much your skills are worth and how other companies are paying your peers. Hit sites like Glassdoor and Salary.com to find out what you should aim for, and negotiate from there, even if it's a jump from your current employer. That kind of information is far more valuable than trying to hold out and make the hiring manager tell you how much they're willing to put on the table first. On Money offers up (and busts) some other salary negotiating myths—like when to negotiate and when not to—at the link below.